Water-line to be replaced in Oxford

Oxford council discussed several issues at their March 19 meeting, including the need to replace a broken water line running under the Black River in Oxford. People attending the council meeting included: (from left) councilor Dawn Thompson, CAO Rachel Jones, mayor Trish Stewart, and deputy Mayor Rick Draper. - Dave Mathieson

OXFORD, N.S. – A water line break in the town of Oxford has left one of the towns reservoirs empty.

“When this line leaked we lost all the water in the old reservoir on Pugwash Road. Eight feet went down in six hours,” said Wes Adshade, director of Public Works with the town of Oxford, adding that it lost about 10,000 gallons of water per-hour.

The need for immediate repairs was discussed during the March 19 meeting of Oxford town council.

The water line break was found where it crosses the Black River in Oxford. A temporary fix has been put in place but a permanent replacement is needed as soon as possible.

During the council meeting it was pointed out that a similar water-line replacement was bored underneath the Little River in Oxford at a cost of about $140,000, and that this latest water line replacement would cost about the same, or a little less.

The reservoir, among other things, helps provide water for fire protection but until the line is fixed valves have been shut off and the reservoir remains empty.

“When it was emptied it was seen that it was very messy inside. Sticks, boots, boards and everything,” said Adshade.

The concrete water tank, built in 1969, will be inspected at a cost of $4,500.

Adshade said the tank leaks and is in need of repair, adding that building a new tank would cost approximately $560,000.

Cost to replace the water-line break and to fix the reservoir will be paid for by the water utility.